How did Washington get so expensive?

In this episode of The Fix Washington Podcast, Rep. Dave Stuebe joins host Rep. Peter Abbarno to discuss rising taxes, affordability, and the cost of living in Washington state. They break down how proposed income and payroll taxes, gas taxes, and state spending decisions in Olympia are impacting working families, seniors, small businesses, and rural communities. The conversation also covers transportation funding, energy policy, health care costs, and natural resource management. Rep. Stuebe highlights infrastructure needs in rural Washington, concerns about electricity shortages and economic development, Medicaid reimbursement rates, and the effect of wildfire policy and fish hatcheries on local economies.